September, 2015
Preschool
Staff Directory:
Director,
Paula Benefiel
[email protected]
www.stanleypres.org
Teachers:
Jill Brewster
Tara Brune
Amber Grau
Barbara Hawk
Georgia Hopwood
Andrea Larson
Kristin Nelson
Gretchen Partrich
Kathleen Schaper
Julie Schorgl
Kathy Smid
Important Dates:
Oct. 1:
Tuition Due
Oct. 5/6: Classy Kids
Photos
Oct. 8: OPEN HOUSE
6:30—7:30 (drop by)
A Note from Mrs. Benefiel
Dear Parents,
We have had a great beginning of the year! Transitions can sometimes be tough
on the little ones and especially on the parents. We want preschool to be a
positive, loving and fun place for you and your child. If you ever have any
questions or concerns, please talk to me or your child’s teacher. We are here
for you.
God Bless,
Paula Benefiel, Preschool Director
What Did You Do in School Today?
When children come home at the end of the day, the question they're
asked as they scurry to play is, "Tell me what you did today?" And the
answer they give makes you sigh with dismay. "Nothing, I did nothing
today!" Perhaps nothing means that I played with blocks, or counted to ten,
or sorted some rocks. Maybe I painted a picture of red and blue or heard a
story of a mouse that flew. Maybe I was a firefighter or nurse today, or went
outside on the bikes to play. Maybe today was the very first time my scissors
followed a straight line. Maybe I led a song from beginning to end, or played
with a special brand new friend. The word “nothing” can mean so many things!
Preschool Pictures– October 5th and 6th
Classy Kids Studio will be the photographers for individual photos. Every child will have his/her
pictures taken during regular preschool hours on October 5th and 6th. You will have the option of
scheduling sibling photos, but you MUST sign up for them. A sign-up sheet will be posted by the
entrance/exit preschool doors.
Picture Schedule:
Monday, Oct. 5: MWF and M-Th classes
Tuesday, Oct. 6th: T/TH, and Tuesday Day Out Classes
Wednesday and Thursday Day Out Classes-drop by between 9—11:45 either day (5th/6th)
Kids With Parents Open House
Thursday, October 8, 6:30—7:30 pm (Drop By)
It’s time for children to show their families where they spend their days at preschool. Children will
be able to introduce their teachers to mom, dad, brother, sister, and anyone else they’d like to
bring! They’ll be able to show everyone their art work and all the centers in their classroom.
Teachers will be present in the classroom and look forward to meeting the whole family.
Just a reminder: There are about 130 children enrolled at PCOS Preschool, please keep an eye
on the little ones, especially on the playground!
Refreshments will be available by the downstairs elevators. If you’d like to contribute something,
the sign-up sheet is located by the preschool entrance/exit door. Please drop off items in the
preschool office by October 7th. We look forward to seeing everyone!
On-Line Payments are NOT Working
The On—Line Payment System is not working! If you enrolled in auto-withdrawal in August or
September the system is no longer working and being restructured. Please pay your tuition by
check or cash. You may drop your check off in the grey tuition container ion the desk in the preschool office or you may hand your check to Paula Benefiel (Preschool Director). Checks should
be made out to PCOS Preschool. I will let all families know when the system is working again.
Preschool Morning Opening Prayer
Children’s Bible & Bible Verse
(All the classrooms say this Prayer in their morning circle time)
Children learn a monthly Bible verse using
sign language.
Dear God, We thank you for this day. Be with us while we
work and play. Help us in all we say and do to be helpful,
kind and loving too. Amen.
“A Friend Loves at all times”
Proverbs 17:17—September Bible Verse
“When I am afraid, I will trust in God.”
Psalm 56:3—October Bible Verse
New Preschool/Day Out children will receive a Bible from
PCOS Preschool. We hope you enjoy this gift and find time
to read to your children. In our curriculum we read a Bible
story each week in the Sanctuary. Ask your children about
this activity! Bibles are back-ordered—will be here soon!
First Bible story in the Sanctuary
How to Practice Preschool Letter and Name Writing
Ideally, the first materials used are not markers and pencils but materials that allow children to
strengthen the muscles in their hands needed to properly hold writing implements (fine motor skills).
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Shaping letters with Play Dough.
Shaping them on textured paper cutouts.
Writing them in the sand or using shaving cream.
Writing letters using finger paint.
These are just some of the ways to help children internalize the shape of the letter, while developing their fine motor skills.
Young children learn best when they are taught using a multisensory approach, involving as many senses as possible.
Lunch Bunch—Drop In
There are a few spots available in our Lunch Bunch classes. Lunch bunch is for children that are enrolled in our
preschool program that would like to stay for a long day. If you are enrolled in the a.m preschool class you have the
option to stay until 2:00 p.m. If you are enrolled in the MWF p.m class you have the option on Friday to come at 10:00
a.m and stay until 3:00. Located on the parent bulletin board there is a sign-up sheet with spots available.
How to sign up for Lunch Bunch—Drop In:
 Sign your child’s name on a available spot
 Drop in cost is $16.00 add extra cost to your next tuition check
 Notify preschool office
We still have Lunch Bunch openings on Monday, Thursday and Friday. If you would like to take advantage of this for
your child notify the preschool office. When all lunch bunch spots fill with children enrolled full time then we will no
longer offer drop-in.
Blue Valley School District and PCOS Preschool
The Preschool does NOT follow the Blue Valley School district calendar when it comes to “days off.”
We coordinate some days with Blue Valley but not all days.
During inclement weather if Blue Valley schools are closed the preschool will also be closed.
Parent Communication
Classroom Communication
Outside of each classroom the teachers have a
Whiteboard. The teachers write what is in each center
that day. We do this for several reasons:
 What the children are learning and doing while at
preschool
 Gives you questions to ask your children about their day at preschool
 Shows you the different materials,
manipulative and equipment your
child is exposed to
 Story of the day
EMAIL
Please make sure you are receiving emails from
[email protected]—Paula Benefiel PCOS Preschool Director.
I have all current families set up by classrooms and have sent home
a few emails. If you are not receiving my emails please let me know
ASAP. Check your spam/junk folders. I am sending these emails as
“blind emails” and the distribution list is very large.
Bulletin Board and Whiteboard
The bulletin board is located in the middle of the preschool hallway
and displays preschool/day out information. The white board is located by the exit/entrance of the preschool and displays upcoming/
special events happening throughout the preschool.
Check these boards frequently for important information!